Travel? Why not! Geneva, Chamonix and some stuff in between.

The Lake Geneva Region includes the Swiss towns and villages around the north shore of Lake Geneva or Lac Leman for the Francophiles among you. Lake Geneva is one of Europe's largest lakes and is crisscrossed by ferries and paddle-wheel steamers which can be used as an alternative means of transit or just a relaxing boat ride. The spa town of Evian-les-bains (bottled water fame) is on the south shore of the lake in France. Traveling clockwise around the lake from Geneva will take you past Nyon, Lausanne and Vevey to Montreux. Continuing south from Montreux, down the Rhone valley takes you to Martigny and the start of the Swiss Alps. Chamonix is not on the lake, but I have always wanted to visit, it has glaciers and mountains, especially Mont Blanc and the popular Tour of Mont Blanc (TMB).

I always wanted to hike the TMB, a 9 to 13 day trek passing through the seven valleys around Mont Blanc. France, Italy and Switzerland are included in the 120 mile circular route, there are 10 to 11 high passes and evenings can be spent in mountain huts or in village guesthouses.

Additional Lake Geneva Region information can be found here.

Travel

• 8 hours non-stop NYC to Geneva Airport
• 6 minutes from Geneva Airport to Geneva Main Train station
• 1 hour Geneva to Montreux by rail
• 1 1/2 hours Geneva to Martigny by rail
• 1 1/2 hours Martigny to Chamonix by rail (The Mont Blanc Express)
• 1 hour Chamonix to Geneva Airport by road

Sights

Geneva
Geneva has over 40 museums and dozens of gardens and parks.

• Lake Promenade
• St. Peters Cathedral and the old Town
• Botanic Garden
• Patek Philippe Museum - watches, musical automata and enamels
• Nyon  - 20 minutes from Geneva
• Chateau de Nyon
• Old Town
• Lakeside walks
• Chateau de Prangins - Swiss National Museum 30 minutes outside Geneva, 10 minute bus ride from Nyon.

The Geneva Pass provides discounted entry into select attractions (1 day 25CHF, 2 days 35CHF) CHF = Swiss Franc

Montreux

On the shores of Lake Geneva, of Jazz Festival and smoke on the water fame.

• Chillion Castle - 4km from Montreux, nearby train and lake boat access
• cogwheel train to Rochers-de-Naye (2,042 meters), views and a free Alpine Garden
• Lakeside Promenade and Old Town stroll

Montreux has a tourism card providing 50% reduction on entry fees and public transportation.

Martigny
In the Rhone valley a half hour south of Montreux.

• Saint Bernard museum and kennel
• Automobile museum
• 13th Century Castle, Chateau Del La Batiaz
• Roman ruins
• Trient Gorge (6 minute train ride to Vernayaz MC, 2 minute walk)
• Fortifications in Saint Maurice (10 minutes away)
• Aigle Castle in Aigle (20 minutes away)

Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Alpine Capital of Europe, catering to people desiring extreme sports as well as relaxing strolls on mountain tops.

• Alpine Museum
• Mont Blanc - Europe's highest mountain at 4,810 meters
• rack railway to France's largest glacier the Mer de Glace.
• gondola to Aiguille du Midi with views of Mont Blanc from a height of 3,842 meters